Other than dealing with the aftermath of Agent Tony Dinozzo's (Michael Weatherly) departure, "NCIS" season 14 will also keep fans up to speed of the situation of Agent Fornell (Joe Spano).
While on a rampage, Trent Kort (David Dayan Fisher) shot the agent. Showrunner Gary Glasberg said that Fornell won't be back on his feet immediately in "NCIS" season 14.
"When people experience a severe trauma that leaves them injured and in need of rehab, they face some mammoth hurdles in the future," Glasberg said.
"Often, injured characters on TV instantly recover. Fornell will have a more realistic road ahead of him," he continued. He added that Spano is excited to take on the challenge in "NCIS" season 14.
Glasberg said that this move is "new and different" and they believe it will pay off. What's unclear now is how Spano will be actively part of "NCIS" season 14 with his character's condition.
"To actually see him have to work towards it, and the frustration of that, is exciting for us," Glasberg told TV Line. That being said, the team also somewhat loses Fornell after saying goodbye to Dinozzo.
It would definitely be a different kind of view with Fornell and Dinozzo both out of the picture, but this should also open up new storytelling opportunities.
Glasberg plans to fill the void left by Weatherly in "NCIS" season 14 by once again zeroing in on Agent Gibbs (Mark Harmon), who has been on the show since the beginning.
Other "NCIS" core characters namely Abby (Pauley Perrette), Ducky (David McCallum), and McGee (Sean Murray) are not going anywhere so Glasberg believes he has plenty of storytelling options to do.
The addition of Duane Henry and Sarah Clarke as MI6 agent Clayton Reeves and FBI agent Tess Monroe as potential series regulars will also give Glasberg the legroom to whip up more stories while still harking back to the show's roots.
"NCIS" season 14 is expected to premiere this fall.
